• Special Cell, Eastern Range has Busted International Arms Syndicate operating in North India by fugitive criminal Shahbaz Ansari and his uncle Rehan Ansari
• A total of 23 sophisticated semi-automatic & foreign made firearms along with 92 live cartridges have been recovered
• In a series of coordinated operations conducted across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, 09 key operatives have been arrested
• Sustained Inter-state Operations lasting a fortnight
Delhi- A team of Special Cell/Eastern Range, led by Inspector Sunil Teotia under the supervision of Shri Kailash Singh Bisht, ACP/ER, has successfully dismantled a sophisticated and multi-layered arms trafficking network. The syndicate had linkages across North India with indications of international sourcing.
Acting on sustained intelligence inputs and technical surveillance, the team conducted multiple coordinated raids across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, leading to the apprehension of nine key operatives and recovery of a substantial cache of illegal arms, including foreign-made pistols.
Information & Operational Development: –
With a view to curbing the use of illegal firearms in the commission of crimes in Delhi and adjoining areas, the Special Cell/Eastern Range has been consistently developing intelligence regarding syndicates involved in the supply of illegal arms and ammunition.
During the course of intelligence development, Shahbaz Ansari (a parole jumper in an NIA case and resident of Bulandshahr, UP) and his uncle Rehan Ansari (a proclaimed offender in FIR No. 51/2016 of Special Cell) were identified as key kingpins of a major international arms trafficking module.
The syndicate operates an extensive network that procures sophisticated foreign-made weapons, allegedly from Pakistan, and smuggles them into India, particularly Delhi/NCR and Uttar Pradesh, via the Nepal border.
Chronology of Arrests and Recoveries
14.04.2026 Acting on specific intelligence, a raid was conducted at Usmanpur, Delhi, leading to the apprehension of Fardeen S/o Sabir R/o Maujpur, Delhi, Age- 22 yrs. One semi-automatic pistol and 09 live cartridges were recovered.
FIR No. 94/26 was registered at Special Cell under relevant sections.
During interrogation, Fardeen disclosed procurement of arms from Waseem Malik, lodged in Rohini Jail in another Arms case by Delhi Police. At his instance, Waseek (27 years) was apprehended from Shastri Park, leading to recovery of:
• 02 country-made shotguns
• 01 desi katta
• 42 live cartridges of different calibres
• 06 magazines
16.04.2026
Accused Waseem Malik S/o Yaseen R/o Maujpur, Delhi, Age-38 yrs was formally arrested from Rohini Jail and taken on police custody remand. He disclosed sourcing of foreign-made weapons through Rahil and Imran, relatives of Shahbaz and Rehan Ansari, and distribution through Ahmad (Jaunpur, UP). He also used to procure country made pistols from Munger, Bihar through Ahmad.
17.04.2026
During investigation of the case, at the instance of accused Fardeen, Aman @ Abhishek S/o Lt. Prempal Singh R/o Khurja UP, Age- 38 Yrs was arrested from Khurja, UP. Recovery included:
• 02 semi-automatic pistols
• 02 desi kattas
• 02 live cartridges
19.04.2026
During further course of investigation, Aadil S/o Mohd. Shokeen R/o, Loni Dehat, UP was apprehended. His mobile phone containing incriminating chat records relating to arms transactions was seized.
20.04.2026
A major breakthrough was achieved with the arrest of Mohd. Ahmad S/o Nisar Ahmad R/o Jaunpur, UP, Age-35 Yrs. Recovery included:
• 12 semi-automatic pistols (including foreign-made weapons)
• 39 live cartridges
• Firearm repair and modification equipment
23.04.2026
During further course of investigation accused Rahil S/o Umar R/o Ajmeri Gate, Delhi, Age- 37 Yrs and Imran S/o Yahiya Khan R/o Sikandrabad, UP, Age- 37 Yrs were formally arrested and taken on police custody remand.
Investigation revealed:
• Shahbaz Ansari as the main handler
• Rehan Ansari as the primary coordinator, managing logistics, communication, and finances
• Use of encrypted messaging applications for operations
24.04.2026
Accused Vishal S/O Harikesh Ram R/o Shahpur, Azamgarh UP Age- 32 yrs was arrested at the instance of Ahmad. He disclosed receiving 05 foreign-made pistols, later distributed among criminals in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Recovery included:
• 03 semi-automatic pistols (including foreign-made weapons)
Modus Operandi
The syndicate utilized:
• Encrypted communication platforms
• A structured hierarchy
• Cross-border smuggling routes
Foreign-made weapons were routed into India and distributed among criminal networks in Delhi/NCR and Uttar Pradesh.Further investigation is underway to identify the exact international supply routes and potential transnational linkages.
Recovery: –
• 18 sophisticated semi-automatic pistols (including foreign-made)
• 02 country-made shotguns
• 03 desi kattas
• 92 live cartridges
• 06 spare magazines
• Mobile phones and laptop containing incriminating data
• Weapon repair and modification toolkits
Profiles of Arrested Accused:
1. Fardeen
Fardeen @ Bua Bhai was born on 15/04/2004 at Maujpur Delhi. He has studied upto 10th standard and thereafter he discontinued his studied. After discontinuing study, he joined in a local manufacturing unit of garments at Loni, UP. Thereafter joined as salesman in a newly opened Electronics shop at Shastri Park owned by Waseem Malik. During this period, Waseem Malik influenced him by offering the prospect of earning easy money and induced him to engage in the illegal supply of firearms. The accused came under the influence of Waseem Malik and started supplying illegal arms as per his directions. On 18/03/2026, Waseem was arrested by the team of Crime Branch, Shakarpur, and illegal firearms were recovered from Wasim. After the arrest of Wasim Malik, the accused kept one pistol belonging to Wasim with himself and on the pretext of Wasim he handed over the remaining illegal firearms to Wasim’s nephew, namely Waseek.
2. Waseek
Accused Waseek S/o Lt. Mohd. Ismail was born on 13/02/1999 at Dilshad Garden, Delhi. He has studied B. Com but dropped out in between during Covid pandemic. After discontinuing study, he joined his family business i.e., selling and purchase of tyres (bike/car). He was enthusiastic in making/shooting of video, so created you-tube channel along with his friend Sonu. He joined in Electronic Hub, which was run by his uncle Waseem Malik. He was engaged in the said shop for handling billing and management work. But due to non-payment of salary, he left the job from the shop and started working with his cousin namely Talib and Farman malik in Instagram Channel. Last month, Fardeen brought a plastic katta to him and informed that Waseem Malik had been apprehended by the police and the said Plastic Katta containing illegal firearms belonging to Waseem Malik. Fardeen asked him to keep the said container safely, and he kept it with him as per the directions of his maternal uncle. Later he came to know that Fardeen had also been apprehended by the police. Out of fear of being apprehended, he took the said Plastic Katta containing illegal firearms and was going to hide it in bushes of Yamuna khadar to avoid detection, but he was apprehended by the police.
3. Waseem
Accused Waseem Malik s/o Late Yasin Malik was born on 14/02/1984 at Turkaman Gate Delhi. He has studied upto 8th standard and thereafter he discontinued his studied. In year 2008, his criminal activities began and he remained in jail for two years in case FIR 64/2008, PS Mayur Vihar u/s 352/392 IPC & 25 Arms act. In the year 2013, a murder case was registered against him in PS Kotwali Khurja and he remained in jail upto 2017. He came in contact with Shahbaz Ansari through his friend Abid and Khalid. During the lock down in year 2021he met Ahmad at Bijnor. After some time, Shahbaz went to jail in Sidhu Moose Wala case. In the year 2025 Sahbaj was out from jail on parole and jumped the parole. He used to receive consignments of firearms from accused Rahil and Ahmad and used to supply the same to different gangs in Delhi/NCR.
Previous Involvement
1. FIR No. 337/2006, u/s 411/34 IPC, PS Gukulpuri, Delhi
2. FIR No. 89/2006, u/s 411/34 IPC, PS Pahar Ganj, Delhi
3. FIR No. 64/2008, u/s 392/34 IPC, PS Bara HinduRao, Delhi
4. FIR No. 173/2014, u/s 395/411 IPC, Distt Bulandsahar, UP
5. FIR No. 361/2015, u/s 302/34 IPC, PS Jaffarbad, Delhi
6. FIR No. 49/2026, u/s 221/132/112/61(2)/3(5) BNS r/w25/25(1AA)/27/25 Arms Act, PS Crime Branch, Delhi
4. Aman @ Abhishek
Accused Aman @ Abhishek Tomar was born on 01/06/1988, in Khurja, Distt Bulandshahr UP. He has studied upto 10th standard and thereafter discontinued his studied. In year 2010 when he was lodged in Buland Shahar jail he came in contact with Waseem and become familiar with each other. In year the 2022-2023 Aman asked for arms from Waseem, and procured total 7 pistol from the Waseem.
Previous Involvement
1. FIR No. 436/2005, u/s 25 Arms Act, PS Kotwali Nagar, UP
2. FIR No. 161/2010, u/s 302/34/384/504/506(2) IPC, & 27 Arms Act PS Khurja Nagar, UP
3. FIR No. 128/2025, u/s 111(3) BNS & 5/25 Arms Act, PS Lohiya Nagar, UP
4. FIR No. 692/2025, u/s 2/3 Gangster Act, PS Lohiya Nagar, UP
5. Adil
Accused Aadil s/o Mohd Shokeen was born on 04/09/2003 at Loni Dehat, UP. He studied up to 9th standard. Thereafter he discontinued his studied due to major accident. In the year around 2021 one case for Bank fraud was registered against him and jailed for 2 months. After coming out from the jail in the year 2024, he met with accused Fardeen. After some time, he received 02 country made pistol with cost of Rs 1.10 lac from Fardeen.
Previous Involvement 1. FIR 386/21 U/s 420/120B/34 IPC, PS Anand Vihar
6. Rahil
Accused Rahil s/o Lt. Mohd Umer was born on 28/11/1989 at Ajmeri Gate old Delhi. He did his early schooling from old Delhi. He is main active member of this syndicate in Delhi/NCR. He used to receive and supply firearms as per directions of Shahbaz Ansari(cousin) and Rehan Ansari(uncle). The first assignment of the arms was done on the instruction of Rihan where the accused brought one pistol wrapped in black polythene from one person and handed over to Waseem Malik. He had also bought one Mobile Phone and Sim card and supplied it to Waseem by installing social media app to connect with Shahbaz. He supplied many sophisticated foreign firearms and ammunition to different persons on the direction of Shahbaz and Rehan.
Previous Involvement
1. FIR No. 49/2026, u/s 221/132/112/61(2)/3(5) BNS r/w25/25(1AA)/27/25 Arms Act, PS Crime Branch, Delhi
7. Imran
Accused Imran Ansari S/o Yahiya Khan was born on 1983 in Bulanshaher, UP. He is illiterate and started working as a scooter repairman at the age of 12. Accused Imran is brother-in-law (jija) of accused Shahbaz Ansari and does illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition through Indo-Nepal border on the direction of Shahbaz Ansari. Recently he is arrested by Crime Branch for illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition.
Previous Involvement
1. FIR No. 49/2026, u/s 221/132/112/61(2)/3(5) BNS r/w25/25(1AA)/27/25 Arms Act, PS Crime Branch, Delhi
8. Md. Ahmad
Accused Md. Ahmad S/o Nisar Ahmad was born on 1991 in Shahganj UP. He has studied upto 10th standard and thereafter discontinued his studied and started working in a mobile repair shop. During this period, he came in contact with local criminals of the area and in year 2015 he got involved in criminal activities and went to jail. In year 2021 he met Waseen in Bijnor UP and joined this syndicate through him. He used to supply Munger, Bihar based firearm in Delhi NCR through Rahil and Waseem and also took of foreign made pistols from them to supply in Eastern UP.
Previous Involvement
1. FIR No. 581/2015, u/s 3/5/7/25/27 Arms Act, PS Ghumanganj, UP
2. FIR No. 532/2015, u/s 3/25 Arms Act, PS George Town, UP
3. FIR No. 151/2017, u/s 41/411 IPC, & 3/25/27 Arms Act PS MuthiGanj, UP
4. FIR No. 52/2017, u/s 3/25 Arms Act, PS Shahganj, UP
5. FIR No. 323/2017, u/s 302/120B/201/419/420/467/478/471/506/34 IPC & 3/25 Arms Act, PS Sarnath, UP
6. FIR No. 371/2017, u/s 3(1) Gangster Act, PS Sarnath, UP
7. FIR No. 99/2018, u/s 3/5/7/25 Arms Act, PS Didarganj, UP
8. FIR No. 236/2022, u/s 8/20 NDPS Act, PS Bardah, UP
9. Vishal
Accused Vishal S/o Harikesh Ram was born on 1994 in Shahpur UP. He studied upto 12th standard and thereafter discontinued his studied. He came in contact with local criminals of the area and in year 2014 and got involved in criminal activities and went to jail. During incarnation in Azamgarh jail, he met accused Ahmad and befriended him. Through Ahmad he receives foreign made pistols and used to supply different gangsters of Eastern UP.
Previous Involvement
1. FIR No. 37/2016, u/s 392/504 IPC, PS Nijamabad, UP
2. FIR No. 48/2016, u/s 3/25 Arms Act, PS Nijamabad, UP
3. FIR No. 997/2016, u/s 41/411 IPC, PS Nijamabad, UP
